Hi! I am sending a short history of LO, from their website:http://www.lo.no/ -- All the best Tor F�rde email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
History A Century of Struggle and Progress Great Progress and New Challenges Significant Years in LO's History [ 1899 - 1930 | 1930 - 1940 | 1940 - 1950 | 1950 - 1970 | 1970 - 1990 | 1990 - ] * The Labour Movement Archives and Library A Century of Struggle and Progress The labour movement in Norway developed up through the second half of the last century. The industrial revolution created a new social class in Norway, as in other countries. The advance of the working class led to huge social upheavals. People fled from the poverty of the countryside and sought their fortunes in the cities where factories provided work and income. Most obtained better conditions than they had had as smallholders and agricultural workers. But for many there was only greater and more depressing misery. Hard battles had to be fought before the workers secured the right to join trade unions. The first trade unions in Norway were established during the 1870'ies. Gradually more trade union associations sprang up across the country. The first nationwide unions were born. At the end of the century, the time had come to consolidate these into a community of purpose that extended across professional and craft boundaries. The Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions (LO - Landsorganisasjonen i Norge) was formed 1 April 1899. A year later, the employers established their own national organisation, today called the Confederation of Norwegian Business & Industry (NHO - N�ringslivets Hovedorganisasjon). Great Progress and New Challenges Hard and bitter labour disputes advanced the labour movement into its breakthrough in the 1920'ies and 30'ies. During the German occupation, many trade union members were involved in resistance and underground activity. After the war, the labour movement played a leading part in building the Norwegian social state. Most people attained a new standard of living and security. In the course of a few decades, Norway became a wealthy country with less class differences and a more equitable distribution of wealth than most other nations in the world. Still, there is much to be done. As we approach the end of the twentieth century, the trade union movement in Norway faces unfinished tasks and completely new challenges. Significant Years in LO's History 1899 - 1930 1899: LO established on 1 April 1907: The first nationwide labour dispute in Norway and the first national wage agreement 1909: The first Sickness Benefit Act. 1916: The first common programme of LO and the Labour Party. 1919: The Storting (Parliament) approves the eight-hour working day and a week's holiday with pay. 1921: 150,000 workers go on strike when the employers call for comprehensive pay reductions. 1930 - 1940 1931: Norway's largest industrial conflict. Lockout affects 60,000 for five months. 1932: LO and the Labour Party present a crisis programme. Demand "Work for the whole nation". 1935: The first Basic Agreement between LO and the employers. The Labour Party forms Government with two cabinet ministers from the LO. 1936: The Retirement Pension Act. 1938: Adoption of the Unemployment Benefit and Worker Protection Act. 1940 - 1950 Trade unions organise illegal trade union committees. Illegal union newpaper published. Large part of LO's Executive Committee spend time detained in prison camps in Germany. A total of 2,600 LO members lost their lives during the war. 1941: Viggo Hansteen and Rolf Wickstr�m executed in connection with the so-called milk strike. 1947: Three weeks paid holiday laid down in law. 1950 - 1970 1952: Legislation securing young people right to vocational training in working life. 1956: Agreement on daily sickness benefit. 1961: Framework agreement on the principle of equal pay. 1964: Four weeks paid holiday laid down in law. 1967: LO introduces the Collective Home Insurance Scheme. 1969: LO's first Programme of Action. 1970 - 1990 1970: Agreement on a fund for the advancement of popular education and training in Norwegian working life. 1971: LO introduces the Basic Insurance Scheme. 1972: Agreement on company safety and environment committees. Workers obtain right to representation on boards and corporate assemblies. 1973: Retirement age reduction, introducing optional retirement at the age of 67. 1976: Workers over the age of 60 obtain right to one additional week of paid holiday 1977: Parliament passes the new and extended Working Environment Act. 1978: Full sick pay. Adoption of the Equal Status Act. 1981: Parliament adopts the gradual introduction of a 5th week of paid holiday. A precondition was that this would be warrantable with regard to the country's total economic situation. So far, only one day of this week has been introduced (1983). 1986: 102,000 locked out before reaching agreement on 37.5 hour normal working week. 1989: LO members may get agreement-based pension (AFP) at the age of 65. Parliament passes the Occupational Injury Insurance Act. 1990 1992: The funds of the low-pay fund transferred to the educational fund. 1993: Agreement-based optional pensionable age reduced to 64. Act on generalisation of collective agreements. 1994: Revision of the Basic Agreement. By a narrow majority, LO's extraordinary congress decides to recommend members to vote "no" in the referendum on EU membership. 1995: The 1995 collective bargaining round improved women's pay considerably. The Norwegian Labour Party sells its shares in A-pressen (the Norwegian Labour Press). LO maintains its co-ownership. Establishment of a financial concern between the insurance company Samvirke and the trade union movement's bank Landsbanken. 1996: LO goes on Internet 1 April. Agreement reached in the collective bargaining round on optional retirement at the age of 62. Right to further and continued education laid down in collective agreements. Conflicts in the engineering, hotel and restaurant, and electricity sectors. 1997: Yngve H�gensen reelected LO President by Congress. Adoption of Programme of Action and of the Renewed Solidarity Alternative. Comprehensive campaigning for trade union rights in connection with parliamentary elections. Landsorganisasjonen i Norge - LO, Youngs gate 11, 0181 Oslo Telefon 23 06 10 50 - Telefax: 23 06 17 43
